1st Azeri Chess Academy Open (Norm-Eligible
Swiss — FIDE 2000+)

October 5–10, 2026 | Houston Chess Studio
250 Patton Street, Suite H, Houston, TX 77009
Format: 9-round Swiss
Time Control: G/90 + 30-second increment
Capacity: 68 players
USCF Grand Prix: 150 points
Eligibility
Open to players rated FIDE 2000 or higher at registration. Other
players may be accepted only with organizer approval and may have
different entry fees.
A FIDE ID and an active USCF membership are required. Non-U.S.
GMs, IMs, WGMs, and WIMs may participate with a USCF ID.
Schedule
 Oct. 5: Arrival; Round 1 at 6:00 PM
 Oct. 6: Round 2 at 3:00 PM
 Oct. 7–9: Rounds at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM
 Oct. 10: Round 9 at 10:00 AM; closing ceremony at 4:00 PM
Entry Fees
GM: Free
Through September 4, 2026:
IM/WGM $400; FM/WIM $500; FIDE 2400+ $500; FIDE 2200+ $600;
FIDE 2000+ $750.
Through October 2, 2026:

IM/WGM $500; FM/WIM $600; FIDE 2400+ $600; FIDE 2200+ $750;
FIDE 2000+ $900.
Discounts: 15% for seniors (born 1976 or earlier), juniors (born 2006
or later), and female players; 30% for eligible collegiate chess-
program players. Only one discount may be used.
Guaranteed Prize Fund: $13,000
1st $5,000; 2nd $2,500; 3rd $1,500; 4th $1,000; Best Senior $1,000;
Best Junior $1,000; Best Female $1,000. Main prizes use the Hort
System in case of ties; category prizes are split equally among eligible
tied players.
Important Playing Rules
FIDE rules apply, with FIDE taking precedence in any conflict. Default
time is 60 minutes. Draws before Black’s 30th move require arbiter
permission.
Up to two half-point byes may be requested before Round 1 pairings;
0-point byes are otherwise permitted. Players seeking norms must
play all nine rounds without requested byes. The event’s schedule
meets the FIDE one-round-per-day requirement for GM/WGM norm
applications; the Swiss-field norm requirement depends on final
participation and average rating.
Electronic devices are prohibited in the playing area. All players are
subject to electronic-device scanning. Spectators are not permitted in
the playing hall except invited guests during the first 20 minutes.
A 50% refund is available for cancellations requested by September
25, 2026; no refunds afterward.
Full regulations, organizer updates, GM interest, conditions, and
special requests:
https://azerichessacademy.com/tournaments/1st-azeri-chess-
academy-open/